“…for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.” [Al-Baqarah: 185]

Indeed, to the All-Merciful and the All-Kind belong all praise, gratitude, and thanks for allowing us to complete the blessed month of Ramadan. May He (SWT) accept our siyam, our qiyam and all our good deeds from this month. We pray that this month has drawn us closer to Allah (SWT), has increased our taqwa, strengthened our eman, and revived our commitment to our Deen – Al Islam.

The past month has been one of trial and adversity for the Muslim community with the loss of many lives; be that at London Bridge, Grenfell Tower and the murder of Makram Ali at Finsbury Park as well as serious injuries to many others. Our prayers go out to the families of all the shuhadaa and all those who are still suffering from these events. May Allah (SWT) have mercy on them all, ameen.

There are many examples in these tragic events which show that non-Muslims can see through the hate and propaganda spewed by politicians and media against Islam and Muslims. Many in the community around Grenfell Tower have been touched by the acts of bravery on the night of the fire, especially by our youth, and by the generosity of Muslims in response to the disaster. In the midst of the tragedy, our Islamic values have shone through.

It is sad that the reality of our times has become deaths, hate crime, accusations against Islam and double standards in reporting by the media. For more than a decade, the government and media have led a relentless campaign to politicise crimes and divide communities. They have singled Muslims out as a suspect community, brought all kinds of disproportionate measures and selective laws – not to speak of the relentless daily media assault on every action and value we hold dear.

Across the globe, our ummah continues to face the state terrorism of the west and its puppet rulers. The political conflict between Saudi and Qatar and the continued oppression and slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan – all in an attempt to silence and stop the revival of this noble ummah.

Despite all this, our community has shown patience and resolve and we will continue to persevere in upholding our values and adhering to Islam regardless of the hate preaching politicians and media.

Islam is a way of life for all people. It is a mercy and guidance for all, we are merely its custodians and so we must be its ambassadors. Rather than retreat inwards and give in to anxiety and fear – our communities and the society at large can only benefit from Muslims taking a positive outward stance and being confident about our Islamic belief and values.

Each of us, through a sincere word and good example can demonstrate the greatness of Islam. Islam is the alternative to the loneliness of individualism, the excesses of freedom, and the spiritual void that materialism has left in the hearts of people. Islam is the true alternative to austerity, to the monopoly of wealth by the few, to mass migration, to casino capitalism, and to colonial wars and interventions.

When this Ummah, by the promise and grace of Allah (SWT), establishes once more the Khilafah Rashidah on the way of prophethood, the Islamic civilisation will demonstrate to all the peoples of the world a more just and humane system of life. Where people of all backgrounds and faiths live together as citizens with rights and not as stigmatised minorities. Where everyone’s basic needs will be met as a right and where the state does not serve the interests of an elite only but rather serves people from all walks of life – because it will be a state based upon the just laws of Allah (SWT).

We pray that Allah (SWT) aids us in working for the return of Islam as a state, society and civilisation – so all people can feel the shade of Allah on earth once more. We pray that He (SWT) accepts our fasting, our prayers, our dua, our charity and all our good actions in Ramadan, and that He (SWT) helps us to maintain and to increase our good deeds in the year to come. And we pray once again that He (SWT) has mercy upon those who continue to suffer from the trials of the past month.